Main Group Buildings 1-11

Meter installation

In order to assess energy consumption throughout the Institute, please note a metering installation project is planned for various locations around campus. Crews are scheduled to evaluate and install steam and chilled water meters throughout Main Group Buildings 1 through 8, and Building 10. This work is scheduled to take place Monday through Friday, 6AM–2PM.

The majority of the work will occur in mechanical spaces in the basement and on the fourth floor, though some corridors, labs and offices will need to be accessed. Occupants of affected spaces will be contacted to schedule times. Crews will be present in the basement and fourth floor throughout the process. This work is scheduled to occur through the summer.

Basement hatch replacement

The Utilities Group is scheduled to conclude the hatch cover replacement project in the basement of the Main Group. As this work comes to an end, crews are scheduled to patch the epoxy floor in several locations throughout the basement corridors. This work is scheduled to begin Saturday, July 14, and is expected to last for two weekends. Anticipated work hours are Saturday and Sunday, between 6AM and 6PM. Access to the corridors will remain available throughout this work, though corridors may be narrowed at times. Noise and odor are anticipated. Any work that generates dust will be contained.

Buildings 4, 8 and 10

As part of the Institute’s investment in infrastructure renewal, crews are scheduled to renew the façades of buildings 4, 8 and 10 facing the MIT.nano building and President’s courtyard. This work includes removing and replacing the windows and restoring the brick and surfaces of the façades of the buildings. Construction activities for this work are underway and are scheduled to continue through fall of 2018. Construction hours are 7 AM – 3:30 PM, with some overnight work expected. During this construction, noise and vibration are expected.

Schedule for the facades of Building 10 facing the President’s Courtyard and Building 13:

Window removal (March 2018 – August 2018)

Masonry repair (February 2018 – December 2018)

Window replacement (September 2018 – December 2018)

Phase II work:

Window removal: Crews will remove windows and will
install temporary plywood enclosures to be in place until
new windows are installed. Duration for each office is
approximately 2-4 weeks. This phase will incur noise.

Masonry repair: Teams will repair cracked and damaged
brick, and will repair and paint cast iron spandrels as well as
repair and replace deteriorated stone at window heads.

The project team is working closely with the occupants impacted by this work and has been meeting with key contacts in each area to review the proposed schedule and share the scope of work associated with the project.

Current work:

Buildings 10 & 13 temporary egress closures

Beginning Monday, March 12, two existing egress points from Buildings 10 and 13 will be temporarily closed. These closures are necessary to complete renovation work along the façades of Building 10. During this work, occupants will be directed to alternate exits. These closures are scheduled through December 2018.

Building 10 President’s Courtyard

As part of the Institute’s investment in infrastructure renewal, crews are scheduled to renew the façade of Building 10 facing the President’s Courtyard. This work includes removing and replacing the windows, and restoring the brick and surfaces of the façades.

Construction activities for this work are scheduled to begin on Saturday, June 9, and will continue through November 2018. Window removal construction hours are 10PM – 6AM nightly, beginning Saturday, June 9. Masonry demolition and repair is schedule to commence on Monday, June 11. Anticipated hours are 6AM-3PM daily.

During this construction, noise and vibration are expected. The project team is working closely with the occupants impacted by this work and has been meeting with key contacts in each area to review the proposed schedule and share the scope of work associated with the project.

Please note the bicycle rack in the President’s Courtyard will be inaccessible throughout construction. Several temporary bicycle racks have been placed nearby.

Building 6

Work is scheduled on a steam pipe under the pathway between Buildings 6 and 18 near Eastman Court. Crews will excavate the area to access the pipe and make repairs. Moderate levels of noise are anticipated in the area from machinery.

As part of this scheduled work, a section of the exterior stairway leading from Building 6 to Eastman Court will be inaccessible. The area will be cordoned off, and pedestrians will be directed around the work area to access the entrance to Building 6.

This work is scheduled to begin Wednesday, August 8, and is anticipated to extend through August 17, depending on the progress made and conditions identified once the work is underway. Work hours are weekdays from 7AM – 3:30PM. The work area will be fenced off, and pedestrians will be able to access all buildings.

Building 10

3rd floor corridor demolition and construction

The third floor corridor of Building 10, the Emma Rodgers corridor, is scheduled for renovation. Beginning Monday, July 2, demolition and construction work is scheduled on the third floor main corridor from 4AM through 3PM weekdays, with occasional Saturday and evening work.

Portions of the hallway will be intermittently closed during construction. During this time, there will be no access through this corridor except ADA access to the elevators, or as emergency egress. The staircases on either end of the hall will remain accessible at all times. Occupants are encouraged to use the elevators in Buildings 3, 4, 7, and 8. Noise and dust are expected during this renewal work. The area will be cordoned off when high dust activities are scheduled. This project is anticipated to conclude by fall 2018.

Building 12: MIT.nano

Building 13

As part of the Institute’s investment in infrastructure renewal, crews are scheduled to renew the façade of Building 13. This work includes masonry work, and cleaning and restoring the surfaces of the façade. Construction activities are targeted to begin this month with the installation of scaffolding along the north elevation, and are scheduled to continue through the fall of 2018. Project hours vary. Concrete forming and pouring are scheduled Monday through Saturday, 7AM-3PM. Chipping, demolition and washdown of the façade are scheduled for Sunday through Friday, 11PM-7AM. During construction, some noise and vibration are expected, with the noisiest activities scheduled to occur in the evening. Vibration will be monitored to help reduce impact to the occupants.

Construction is planned to be completed in sections, beginning on the northeast and MIT.nano courtyard façades. The project team is working closely with the occupants impacted by this work and has been meeting with key contacts in each area to review the proposed schedule and share the scope of work associated with the project.

Scope

Scaffolding: Beginning in January, scaffolding is scheduled to be erected along the north façade of Building 13. This staging will serve as a platform for work crews during the remainder of construction. This initial work is scheduled to take place Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Some noise is anticipated during this operation, with high levels of noise at the scaffolding connection points. Please note, upper floors will be accessed by swing staging, and the south, west and MIT.nano-facing elevations will be primarily accessed by lifts.

Cleaning: Crews will be pressure washing the façade as part of the renewal of Building 13. This work is scheduled for day-time hours.

Masonry repair and restoration: The team will repair cracked and damaged concrete. This work will include the chipping of concrete spalls, recoating of rebar, concrete patching and the rebuilding of the lower beams. This work is expected to be noisy, and is scheduled for the evening to minimize disruptions during the day.

Buildings 10 & 13 temporary egress closures

Two existing egress points from Buildings 10 and 13 have been temporarily closed. These closures are necessary to complete renovation work along the façades of Building 10. During this work, occupants will be directed to alternate exits. These closures are scheduled through December 2018.

President’s Courtyard staging

Scaffolding has been erected along the President’s Courtyard façade of Building 10 from the basement level to the fourth floors. A drive lane has been fenced off along the north side of the courtyard adjacent to Building 13, allowing trucks to access the area. The scaffolding will be in place for the duration of the façade renewal project for Building 10, which will be ongoing through December 2018.

President’s Courtyard staging

The President’s Courtyard is scheduled to be inaccessible during the renewal of Buildings 10 & 13, except as emergency egress. The loading dock will remain accessible, though access may be slightly altered during working hours. Please note signage in the area while making deliveries.

President’s Courtyard bicycle rack changes

Beginning Friday, July 20, the bicycle cage, located on the south side of Building 13, and the bicycle rack, located along the walkway of the west side of Building 13, are scheduled to be removed from use. Temporary bicycle racks will be placed nearby to accommodate these closures. Work in this area is scheduled through the end of December.

Building 18

An extension to the existing concrete pad for Building 18 is scheduled to be installed, and the existing equipment reconfigured. Construction activities next to the existing pad are scheduled to begin on Monday, August 13, when a small boring machine will be onsite to drill, weather permitting. Anticipated work hours are from 8:30AM to 3:30PM. Some noise is anticipated with this activity. Portions of adjacent walkway will be inaccessible to pedestrian traffic during work hours. This activity is expected to last for one day.

The replacement of the tanks in the area will require three separate phases of work. The first phase will consist of boring only. The second phase will consist of digging and installation of the pad extension and a new fence. During the third and final phase, the existing tanks will be removed from service, and temporary tanks will be integrated into the system from a truck loading bed. Two cranes will be used to install the new tanks on the pad extension. During these operations, there will be some noise from work on the pad, and engine noise from the crane.

The construction vehicles and crane will be entering and exiting the site through the courtyard via 21 Ames Street. A police detail will be onsite to direct pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

Building 42C: Central Utilities Plant

Construction is underway on an upgrade to MIT’s Central Utilities Plant, which includes the construction of a building on the former N10 Annex Parking lot. Hours for this work are 7AM – 5PM Monday-Friday with some weekend and evening work expected.

Traffic patterns have changed on Albany Street at the Portland Street intersection. Albany Street is inaccessible to vehicular, cyclist and pedestrian traffic from the intersection of Portland and Albany Streets to the entrance of the Albany Street Garage. The crosswalk across Portland Street at the intersection of Albany Street has been removed during this time. This closure is scheduled continuously through the end of October.

Phase 1: Site preparation and foundations (August 2017 – Spring 2018)

Phase 1 activities for the project are expected to include site preparation and enabling, site excavation,utility work, and the construction of foundations. Pressure injected footings (PIFs) will be used to support the building. During this phase, two-way traffic will be maintained on Albany Street, moderate noise and vibration is expected during PIF installation, and construction vehicles will travel through the area.

Phase 2: Steel (Spring 2018 – Spring 2019)

During this phase, the new addition’s steel structure will be constructed and its exterior wrapped, leaving the roof open. Slabs and floors will be built. A crane will be located on Albany Street during the installation of the large equipment for the plant. During this phase, Albany Street will become one-way from the intersection with Portland Street to the Albany Garage entrance. Two-way traffic will be maintained from Main Street to the entrance of the Albany Garage. For a short period during the summer of 2018, the section of Albany Street from Portland Street to the garage entrance will close. Garage access will be maintained during that period as well.

Phase 3: Interiors, streetscape (Summer 2018 – Summer 2019)

Most activities take place inside the building during this phase, with interior fit out and finalizing and testing system installations. Exterior streetscape and landscape work will include new lighting for public walkways as well as new public seating, trees, and other plantings. In the spring of 2019, Albany Street is scheduled to reopen to vehicles and pedestrians between Portland and Main Streets. The walkway between the construction site and Albany Garage will close for a period during spring and summer 2019 for streetscape and landscape work.

Construction activities - July through October

Beginning Thursday, July 26, traffic patterns are scheduled to shift near the MIT Central Utilities Plant project. Albany Street is scheduled to be inaccessible to vehicular, cyclist and pedestrian traffic from the intersection of Portland and Albany Streets to the entrance of the Albany Street Garage. The crosswalk across Portland Street at the intersection of Albany Street will be removed during this time. This closure is scheduled continuously through the end of October.

This proposed closure will occur from the intersection of Albany and Portland Streets to the entrance of the MIT Albany Street Garage (Building N4). Traffic will remain two-way from Main Street to the entrance of the Albany Street Garage (Building N4). The pedestrian path, located between the Albany Street Garage and the CUP construction site, is scheduled to close. There will be no access to or from the northwest corner of the parking garage, except as emergency egress. The section of path from the rear of the Albany Garage to Vassar Street (across the railroad tracks) will remain open. Please use alternate paths through the Albany Garage (note – this includes stairs), or around the perimeter of the Albany Garage along the railroad tracks and between the garage and Building 46. Signs will be posted to direct pedestrians around the area.

Construction hours are 7AM – 6PM Monday – Friday and 7AM - 3:30PM on Saturdays, with some additional weekend and evening work expected.

Building 42 alley/fire lane closure

On Wednesday, May 2, the alley/fire lane between Building 42 and the railroad tracks is scheduled to be closed to through traffic for the remainder of the CUP construction project. During this time, the lane will be impassable to vehicles and pedestrians. Pedestrians are encouraged to use the Vassar Street sidewalk. The pedestrian path across the railroad tracks connecting Albany and Vassar Streets will remain open during construction.

Building E23: Elevators

Work is underway to renew and modernize the passenger elevators in Building E23. The work will include installing new equipment and new cab finishes. Anticipated work hours are be 6AM to 2PM, Monday-Friday, with some noisy work scheduled for earlier morning hours.

The elevators will be modernized one at a time, allowing one to remain operational while the other is out of service. Car #1 is scheduled to be out of service through December. Once completed, Car #2 will be removed from service through April, 2019. Signage will be posted; occupants are encouraged to use the elevators in the lobby of Building E25.

East Campus: Kendall Square Initiative

For the most up-to-date information about the Kendall Square Initiative, visit the courbanize project profile. Click the “Follow” button to sign up for an account and receive notifications about the project.

MIT is proposing to bring new vibrancy and diversity to Kendall Square - "the most innovative square mile on the planet." MIT is now poised to deliver a dynamic blend of uses in this area, including housing, lab and research space, retail, innovation space, open space, and a dedicated facility for the MIT Museum. Learn more about the Kendall Square Initiative.

Construction in Kendall Square kicked off in September 2016. Ultimately, this visionary project will deliver a dynamic blend of uses in the area, including graduate student, market rate, and affordable housing; lab and research space; innovation space; retail and open space; and a new facility for the MIT Museum. Following the approval by the City of Cambridge Planning Board in May, utilities and infrastructure work is now underway to prepare the area south of Main Street, between Carleton Street and Wadsworth Street, where new buildings will be sited. Construction hours are scheduled for 7AM – 6PM weekdays, and Saturday from 9AM – 6PM.

Questions about the construction phase of this work may be directed to Alison Crowley (MITIMCo).

Visit the courbanize project profile to review details about the planned activities and to subscribe to construction updates. Subscribe to notifications by clicking the “Login” button at the foot of the “Comment here” box to sign up for an account, and then “follow” the project.

During construction in the Hayward Lot, patient parking for MIT Medical will remain available. Reserved MIT Medical patient spaces currently in the Hayward lot will soon be relocated to a new lot being constructed next to Building E33.

MIT Medical will validate parking for patients. (Cars exiting the lot without validation may incur a $40 fine.)

Cars that are in the lot for more than two hours are subject to towing. If patients have appointments that exceed two hours, MIT Medical will contact the Parking Office on their behalf.

The location of the patient parking area may change as construction proceeds. We will inform the community before any changes occur.

MBTA Station Pedestrian Access

The pedestrian plaza connecting Carleton Street to the inbound Kendall Square MBTA Station on Main Street is closed fully for the duration of the project to allow construction of an underground garage in this area. Pedestrians will be guided to seek alternate paths to and from the station using Ames Street, Dock Street, or Wadsworth Street.

Access to the MBTA station and elevator will remain open and accessible on the Main Street side of the station throughout this work. Carleton Street will remain open to vehicular traffic from Amherst Street to the Medical Parking Lot.

Construction Updates – August 2018

Crews continue to install a section of steam system piping across Amherst Street, between Ames and Carleton Streets. The northern sidewalk next to the Media Lab, Building E14, will be inaccessible between Carleton and Ames Streets during work hours. The ramp to Building E14 near Carleton Street will be inaccessible during this time, and occupants will be redirected to the Ames Street entrance. Temporary crosswalks will be placed to allow pedestrian access around the site. During construction off hours, the work zones will be removed and covered with a steel plate to allow the sidewalks to reopen. This work is scheduled through mid-August.

The block of Wadsworth Street from Amherst Street (between Buildings E51 and E52) and Main Street is closed to vehicular traffic. Wadsworth Street from Memorial Drive to Amherst Street is one-way from Memorial Drive toward Amherst Street during the day, and two-way after 4PM.

Utility work will continue on the North side of Hayward Street and will have trucks entering and exiting onto Main Street.

Amherst Street will have a one-way traffic pattern going towards Ames Street. However, if Longfellow Bridge construction requires a weekend bridge closure, Amherst traffic will be opened up to two ways to allow Eastgate resident parking access.

Steel and concrete installation is underway and is being staged on Wadsworth Street around site 3.

The pedestrian plaza connecting Carleton Street to the inbound Kendall Square MBTA Station on Main Street is closed fully for the duration of the project to allow construction of an underground garage in this area. Pedestrians will be guided to seek alternate paths to and from the station using Ames Street, Dock Street, or Wadsworth Street.

Access to the MBTA station and elevator will remain open and accessible on the Main Street side of the station throughout this work.

Steel erection for the 5th and 6th floors has begun and is supported from Hayward Street

Work continues on the Kendall Garage behind 292 Main (E38), 290 Main (E39), and 238 Main (E48). This includes concrete deck placements at the Site 4 Garage, and construction of the future auto ramp.

Trucking for Site 5 will continue, as well as daily deliveries of steel and concrete via Amherst Street to Carlton Street, and daily trucking to remove material from the site Amherst Street to Carlton Street.

E38 interior and exterior renovation activities will continue, and will be serviced from Gate 11 (Between T and E38).

E39 slab on deck installation has started and is being serviced from Carleton Street, and on Main Street. Finishing of the concrete slab will require extended site hours on days of placements.

Police details will be utilized throughout the project area to assist with pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Hayward Street will be closed from Main Street to Amherst Street to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic until further notice. Hayward Street will only be accessed by Turner Construction vehicles for the duration of the Kendall utilities and garage construction.

Large equipment will be removed and brought to site on and on-going basis. This activity may occur after hours but no disruptions are expected.

General construction activities will continue on Saturdays. Work will occur within the City of Cambridge allowable work hours, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Building W46 - Vassar Street Residence Hall

Construction activities are ongoing as MIT proceeds with a new undergraduate residence hall on the site of the West Garage parking facility (W45). As part of its mission to enhance the student experience, the project will add 450 new beds and has a target completion date of Fall 2020.

Construction hours are 7AM – 6PM, Monday-Friday with some weekend and evening work expected.

The following changes to travel lanes on Vassar Street will be implemented in December 2017 and will remain in place throughout construction:

Two-way traffic will be maintained on Vassar Street. Construction vehicles will travel through the area.

Crosswalks will be installed at each corner of the site and pedestrians will be directed to the sidewalk on the south side of Vassar Street for the length of the site.

A shared bike lane will be created in the westbound lane of Vassar Street to be shared by bicycles and vehicles during construction. The eastbound bicycle and vehicle lanes will remain unchanged.

Construction activities

Enabling activities (October – December 2017):During this phase crews will prepare the site for construction. Activities include utility work, relocation of the Grounds Department to Albany Street, and final closure of the West Garage (which has been used on occasion for events during site prep.) In December fencing will be installed to establish the construction perimeter.

Demolition (January 2018–April 2018):During this phase the West Garage will be demolished. Cranes, excavators, and sawcutters will be used to disassemble the structure and materials will be hauled offsite.

Foundation work (April 2018–October 2018): The foundation of the new residence hall will consist of precast concrete driven piles. Noise and some vibration are anticipated during this work.

Please note that the schedule is subject to change.

Overnight truck traffic

Occasionally crews will be removing large equipment overnight from the Vassar Street Residence Hall construction site, weather permitting. This work is scheduled to occur from 4AM-6AM. Trucks are scheduled to enter and exit the site from Vassar Street using the western gate near Building W59. Noise from the trucks and loading activities is expected.

Foundation commencement

Pile installation is underway. Over 350 piles will be driven down to bedrock, which is approximately 150 feet deep. The piles will be the support structure on which the new residence foundation will be constructed. Pile driving activities will run from June 2018 to September 2018.

Weekend work is scheduled to occur onsite throughout the summer. Anticipated hours are 9AM-6PM on Saturdays. There may be an increase in truck traffic during these times. Noise and vibration are anticipated during construction hours.

Vassar Street temporary narrowing

Street utility work is scheduled on Vassar Street adjacent to the new residence hall construction site. At times, traffic patterns are scheduled to shift. The travel lanes will be temporarily impeded, and east/west traffic will be intermittently stopped as the street is narrowed to one lane. A police detail will help direct vehicular traffic, cyclists and pedestrians in the area. Anticipated regular project work hours are 7AM-6PM, Monday-Friday. Some noise is expected throughout this process. This work is scheduled to continue through August.

Increased truck traffic

Truck traffic at and around the Vassar Street Residence Hall construction site has increased as piles are delivered to the site. Please be alert and use caution when walking in the area. Police will be stationed along Vassar Street to assist with traffic and pedestrians. Vehicles may experience minor delays during delivery time. Deliveries are scheduled Monday through Friday between the hours of 7AM and 6PM.

Learn about the design of the residence hall

To learn more about the project, visit the Capital Projects site where you can link to news articles and view renderings of the site design.

Building W51C

Work is scheduled to begin Monday, June 11, to remove and replace the aging steam system servicing Building W51C. Anticipated hours of construction are Monday through Friday, 9AM-3PM. All entrances and exits will be accessible throughout construction. The wheelchair access ramp may be temporarily redirected during construction, but will remain available at all times. The target completion date for this work is late July.

Building W70

Work is underway to renovate New House, Building W70, with activities continuing through August 2018. Work hours are from 6AM-2AM daily.

Traffic will increase in the area as construction vehicles will be entering and exiting the site from Amherst Alley and Memorial Drive throughout the day. Additionally, the loading dock for Building W61 will be inaccessible through Phase 1 of construction. Pedestrians will be redirected around the site and MIT police will be present to direct traffic.

New House’s renovation will consist of extensive interior demolition. High levels of noise and vibration are anticipated throughout this process. The result will include completely new interior finishes, ADA compliant upgrades including the addition of an elevator, new windows, a new roof, and new mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems throughout. Portions of the building will remain occupied throughout construction.

Amherst Alley

The Tech Shuttle route has been altered for the summer. No shuttle stops will be made on Amherst Alley. During this time, the shuttle stop for Westgate/Tang currently located on Amherst Alley will be relocated to Audrey Street in front of Building W84.

duPont tennis court renovation

Work is underway to demolish and rebuild the duPont tennis courts on the southern edge of Jack Barry field. Crews are scheduled to work 7AM–7PM Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend work on Saturdays from 9AM-5PM. Activities are expected to conclude by the end of October.

The project will include building new tennis courts, with new lighting and hardscaping. The demolition and building activities will generate some noise. During construction, the pathway between Jack Barry field and the tennis courts will be inaccessible. Pedestrians will be rerouted to the north of Jack Barry field to access the indoor tennis facility, Building W53. The eastern courts will be unavailable through October 31. The western courts are scheduled to close beginning August 6, and continuing through the end of construction.

An increase in truck traffic is anticipated along Amherst Alley. Amherst Alley will close periodically during certain activities. Police details will be on site to assist with traffic and pedestrian passage during those events.

Steam Trap Project

The Department of Facilities is scheduled to inspect and repair radiator steam traps throughout campus. Radiator steam traps are typically located at every metal radiator or fin-tube equipment used to provide heat to a space. These maintenance repairs will allow for increased energy efficiency and safety in our buildings. This work is scheduled to take place 7AM to 3PM during the time periods designated below.

During the repair process, a contractor from American Plant Maintenance accompanied by MIT personnel will briefly enter a room containing this equipment. The repair of the radiator steam trap should take less than 30 minutes in each space. Minor construction activity will occur. All crews will prominently display their MIT ID. Around a week after the repairs are made, members of a MIT inspection team will be spot checking the work performed to ensure quality.

The team will work with room occupants to coordinate the activity as needed. This work will impact every room within these buildings. Please notify Nate Fanning, MIT Project Manager, if your space has access restrictions or certain times when the team should not enter the space. Please assist this project by removing all objects from around the radiators to prevent damage.

Vassar Street

Utility project

On Monday, August 6, work is scheduled to commence to replace steam and condensate lines crossing Vassar Street near Buildings 32, 46 and 48. Anticipated work hours are Monday through Friday from 7AM-3:30PM. This project will involve heavy machinery and excavation, and some noise and vibration are expected. This work is scheduled to continue through the end of September.

Traffic will be reduced to a single lane during construction hours. Two-way traffic will be maintained, though east/west traffic will be intermittently stopped. This activity should not impact the Building 32 parking garage. The bike lane and sidewalk will also be intermittently closed during construction. Signage will be placed to help direct pedestrians and cyclists. The ramp to Building 46 and the courtyard will remain accessible at all times. Access to all buildings and plazas will be maintained.

Sidewalk work

Sidewalk work is scheduled along Vassar Street, in front of Building 42, from Monday, August 6, through Friday, August 10. During this time, the sidewalk will be closed, but the cycle track will remain open. Signage will be posted for cyclists and pedestrians to share the pathway. A police detail will be present to safely direct pedestrians and cyclists around the worksite. Users are urged to use caution and courtesy when traversing this route.

West Campus Stormwater Improvement Project

In an effort to improve storm water management in the area due to current and future development, MIT is planning to install a new drainage structure from Talbot Street to the Charles River. Once installed, the structure will be owned and maintained by the City of Cambridge. While some work activities are underway this month, the substantive work is scheduled to begin in August of this year and continue through the Fall of 2019. Work hours are 7AM – 6PM Monday to Friday, with potential for additional work scheduled through 8PM.

Phase 1: May-June activities

Limited work began May 15 and is scheduled to continue through mid-June. This work requires the team to install a section of pipe from the West Parking Lot (between Buildings W89 and W79) under the MBTA tracks while the tracks are taken out of service for maintenance. During this work pedestrian access across the tracks will be maintained with modifications to the path. Impacts from the work will include minor traffic and parking alterations in the West Parking Lot. Work will occupy five parking spaces during this phase.

Phase 2: September 2018 – fall 2019

The project is scheduled to occur in phases, with major construction planned to begin in September 2018 and continue through the fall of 2019. Crews are scheduled to work on short sections of the pipe. During this phase, the Tech Shuttle route is scheduled to be temporarily detoured to bypass a section of Amherst Alley. In addition, the access gate to the Westgate Lot will be temporarily moved to the corner of Amherst Alley and Vassar Street.

BU Bridge and Commonwealth Ave closure

On Thursday, July 26, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is scheduled to begin construction to replace the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge that spans I-90 near Boston University. For the summer phase of this project the BU Bridge will close to vehicular traffic from July 26 to August 11, as will a portion of Commonwealth Avenue in the area. The closure will require a detour for the SafeRide shuttle route during this temporary bridge closure. Please note that two-way access will be maintained on the bridge for pedestrians and bicyclists. See the SafeRide page for more details.

MassDOT will replace the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, which carries Commonwealth Avenue and the MBTA Green Line over I-90. The project will restore a structurally deficient bridge and add dedicated bike lanes and extensive pedestrian safety upgrades.